This headlamp separates the men from the boys. This is professional. Through many years of using different head lamps available in the market, I’ve listed down some qualities and traits a good headlamp should have:

superb light

rechargable power supply

quality head strap

long lasting light

tough

When I finally got hold of the Led Lenser headlamp from Hahn Manila, I was excited to use it right away. The trip to Taal Lake was a weekend get-away but it was not remote enough. We needed to test it in an area where there is minimal lamp posts, away from the city and very dark. Then the Ugo/Sagada bike adventure fell into our lap and it was the perfect adventure to put the Led Lenser to the test.

Before leaving for Sagada, I contemplated if I had to charge the headlamp for the coming nights. I have used it only twice (one night at the beach and another night by the lake) and I felt that there was enough juice left in the rechargeable battery pack. The Led Lenser did not let me down because after continuously using it for three nights, I came home from the mountains with still enough power in the pack. So check number four on the list… ‘coz this baby has a long lasting light. It will get you through the night, plus some!

You can use this as a follow spot on a rock concert and give that guy operating the follow spot his run for the money! The spot light feature of this headlamp can reach up to 300m!!! Due to the adjustable lens, you can have the light spread out, or just pierce through, to make the light beam thinner and longer. When we went night riding in Sagada, I set the lens on spread, so as to light the way of my mates with poor headlamps.

I also tested it pitch black in the forests of Sagada and it gave me enough light and confidence. It was still eerie, cold and dark, but with the 1000 lumens in my forehead, I felt like Cyclops beaming white light in front of me. The bright light was so strong, I can see the mist playing in front of me in Sagada. It was a mixture of fog, mist and mountain air being illuminated by the headlamp. I even had one of my mates try out the headlamp and walk over to the dense foliage part of the jungle just to experience the mighty light coming from the Led Lenser. He came back soon right after kinda scared because he might see “creatures” disturbed by the intense white light.

The battery pack of the Led Lenser H14r.2 is quite heavy because it supplies the fine light with such power and intensity. That issue has been solved by including a longer wire to connect the battery pack to the lens. That means you don’t have to carry the whole weight of the batt in the head strap, you can carry the battery on your waist/belt or bag. The longer wire solves a lot of things and makes life easier for the user.

Charging is not a hassle because it comes with a charger and wire which is as easy as charging your cellphone. It comes with a Li-Ion 3.7v battery pack which can be recharged full in five hours. If you are out in the wilderness for days to come with no chance to recharge, you can use four AA batteries. Easy!

Tough

Being tough is tough. It is not easy being tough. There are certain standards and expectations when people brand you as such. For one, you simply cannot break down easily. There is a level of durability and dependability expected. The Led Lenser is tough. The rigors of mountain biking is not for the faint of heart. That is the reason we choose tools and equipment that live to the standards of immense temperature and cruel weather. We cannot have low quality materials that break easily. The Led Lenser passed this stress test with flying colors.

The band of the headstrap is made of awesome stretchable garter that works perfectly and because it is adjustable, the Led Lenser just sits on your head comfortably, with no problem at all.

Night Rider’s Need

This German headlamp is truly world class. It comes with a 7 year warranty; that means the brand is really confident that this lamp would NOT bug down on you. With proper use and maintenance, this lamp can last all your outdoor activities and what-have-you. You need to tinker with your bike in the middle of the night? Just strap on your Led Lenser and work till morning! The head lamp comes with everything I ever wanted. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5— check!

The Led Lenser can be quite an investment for some folks. But once you get hold of this, you’ll realize why you are paying 6629 Php. This headlamp is all you’d ever want when faced with a dark situation (literally). It is a great buy if you’re fond of night rides due to the red blinker on the battery pack. Even if you’re not a fan of night rides, but you’re in the market for a good lamp, this baby is the one.

This is our fun video in our nightride in Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines.